Helping Oxfam engage with supporters
since 2014, ongoing
I write and help to devise content for Oxfam's supporter magazine, Inside Oxfam, as well as project managing all creative elements. It's a very collaborative project, involving staff from across the organisation, and has a big focus on showing impact and reinforcing the shared values that bring people to Oxfam. The fundraising appeal included in the magazine has repeatedly beaten its targets.
A cash appeal from Autumn 2016, focused on the experiences of people fleeing in Iraq.
“Matt’s experience and skill allow him to consistently deliver to a high standard. He is also enthusiastic, professional and good fun to work with. These are all reasons why we keep working with him again and again. ”
Explaining cancer for young people
published 2015, updated in 2018
'Honest answers, sound advice: A young person's guide to cancer' explores the physical, emotional and practical impact of cancer on young people. It's a 177-page handbook I wrote with Teenage Cancer Trust, aimed at 13-24-year-olds. Young people told Teenage Cancer Trust what they wanted to read about and reviewed everything once it was written, and I focused on keeping everything as clear and straightforward as possible. The book was highly commended at the 2016 British Medical Association Patient Information Awards, and more than 4,000 copies were distributed in the year after publication.
The tone of the Teenage Cancer Trust handbook was tested on young people.
“This is an exceptional book... It is serious, but with a light touch... As a GP, it’s made me think about my communication with young patients with any serious condition.”
Giving Mind's members a voice
started in 2013, ongoing
I edit and write all content for Mind's membership magazine. One of our key objectives is to help members share their experiences, and it's a privilege to be able to speak to members and communicate the truth about living with a mental health problem. Through an ongoing focus on building a sense of community, member involvement with the magazine has grown consistently since I became editor in 2013.
An editorial and a piece about Eastenders' writers consulting Mind supporters.
“Matt really grasps the voice, tone, messaging and brand of the charity, bringing stories to life and making them relevant, interesting and purposeful. A truly talented copywriter, he cares about what he does and it shows in the work he produces. I fully trust his opinion and he’s such a pleasure to work with.”
Focusing on the heart of Amnesty's strategy
2016
Looking to make its strategy for 2016-2019 accessible to the widest possible audience, Amnesty asked me to edit its strategic goals document and simplify the language for a non-expert audience. As the strategy says, these are challenging times for human rights, so we worked closely together to remove complexity without making Amnesty's ambition any less compelling.
A spread explaining how Amnesty is fundamentally shifting its approach.
Shaping the tone and messaging of MQ's launch campaign
2017
Mental health research charity MQ began 2017 with an attention-grabbing campaign that combined frustration and determination. It called on audiences to 'swear' to take on mental illness. Once the swearing idea had been developed, I wrote related messaging that's been used across MQ's communications - and I've also written a manifesto, emails, web content, blogs, interviews and a white paper related to the campaign.
Actor Gillian Anderson swearing to take on mental health. I developed messaging based on the original swearing concept.
Demystifying a rare type of cancer
2016
After reading the Teenage Cancer Trust handbook described above, the NET Patient Foundation asked me to write a similar book for people who live with rare neuroendocrine tumours. So I again worked closely with medical experts to write a guide that cut through confusion and helped people to understand exactly what they're experiencing and what to expect.
A typical spread explaining the nature of little-known neuroendocrine cancers.
Tackling tax dodging on film
2017
To raise awareness of how tax loopholes increase poverty, Oxfam wanted to create a fast-paced shareable video explaining how tax havens operate. So, working with an Oxfam filmmaker, I wrote the A-Z of tax-dodging. It's divided into three videos, which were shown as a Facebook carousel. This is part one.